Later he was positive about the meeting and the prospects for the combined drive to improve rail links and help to boost the North Wales economy.

“We are going to look at how we can create a business case for electrification in North Wales,”Mr Sargeant said.

“Work can start pretty much immediately although transport infrastructure programmes take a long time to come to fruition.

“In the meantime there is potential for new signalling and track developments which can help the case.”

Demands for the electrification of the North Wales rail line have previously failed because of the costs.

But Mr Sargeant insisted yesterday that there was now a lot more to the business case for such a project.

“We need to look at the environmental impacts, the cost of electrified stock, rising fuel costs, increased usage of services and procurement.

“A lot has changed.”

The Welsh Government had worked successfully with the previous Secretary of State for Transport to develop robust business cases for the electrification of the Great Western Main Line to Swansea, and the electrification of the South Wales Valley Lines as an important commuter network, he said

“Similarly, I want to see North Wales properly connected to the electrified rail network around Liverpool, which has the potential to bring benefits to the economy of the region and rail services.

“By boosting the economy, electrification will also help tackle poverty - one of my key priorities.”

The electrification of the network in North Wales could take advantage of the timing of Network Rail's plans for investment in signalling and renewals, Welsh Government planned investment, and as part of the next West Coast franchise.

“The West Coast franchise is a significant franchise serving North Wales and people that rely on that route do not want services being adversely affected as a result of the recent tender process.

“I support the current investigation into the franchise letting process.

“By working collaboratively we can ensure that the lessons learnt are taken forward and applied to the letting of the Wales and Borders Franchise in 2018.”